“Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur and to help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk.” – BLS.gov

The job requires a Bachelors degree and according to government data, the median pay for an actuary is $87,650. The BLS predicts actuaries will increase nearly 30 percent between 2010-2020. The average occupation growth rate is 14 percent.

But, if you’re not into math or statistics, here’s a look at the top 10 jobs that are expected to be in demand.

Actuary

Biomedical Engineer

Software Engineer

Audiologist

Financial Planner

Dental Hygienist

Occupational Therapist

Optometrist

Physical Therapist

Computer Systems Analyst

More than half of the top 10 “best” jobs for 2013 are in the medical field. It’s a sector that continues to grow nationwide, and has also seen serious growth in Idaho. A 2011 study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce predicts the health care industry will expand 33 percent by 2018.

The worst jobs on the CareerCast list include many careers Idahoans are likely familiar with. Last year, lumberjacks and dairy farmers were at the very bottom. This year, they’ve been replaced with newspaper reporters.

191. Flight Attendant

192. Roofer

193. Mail Carrier

194. Meter Reader

195. Dairy Farmer

196. Oil Rig Worker

197. Actor

198. Enlisted Military Personnel

199. Lumberjack

200. Reporter (Newspaper)

Where does your job fall on the best/worst list? Do you agree with the ranking?

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About StateImpact Idaho

StateImpact Idaho was a reporting project of Boise State Public Radio and NPR focused on explaining how economic issues affect you. For continued coverage of Idaho’s economy, tune into KBSX 91.5 or visit Boise State Public Radio's website.